![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 580 to 604 of 696. Go back in thread:
Posted by moesje on August 23, 2007, at 12:08:59
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by Aya on August 23, 2007, at 11:46:37
Wow! Thank goodness I did't have hallucinatons! Fortunately I found this site, but not until after I'd been on the drug for a few months. Now ANYONE I talk to is warned of the side effects.
Yes, we are paying the docs to know this stuff, and yet if the pharmaceutical isn't releasing the info, the docs don't know. Mine thought I should be able to quit cold turkey at 30mg, so I did, and went through it all. Even when I graduated the dosage I still had the symptoms.
I've read the patient info from Lily, and there's nothing in there about these side effects, so maybe the standards aren't set to include us as problems to look for.
Either way, I sent a public report to the Federal USDA with this web site as a reference that this drug needs to be looked into further.
I also have restless legs, and 2 years ago I would have taken something for it . . now I'm looking for vitamins and supplements to help. Won't touch the new stuff AT ALL.
> My doctor said nothing to me about these issues, but my phamacist knew all about them when I stumbled into Walgreens and was forced to lay on the floor to keep from passing out. She told me if I start hallucinating that I have to go to the emergency room immediately. That's pretty serious.
>
> Ultimately it's all of our own responsibilities to research the drugs we are prescribed. HOWEVER, we are not doctors and are paying them for their knowledge. We put our trust in them. Someone needs to be held accountable.
Posted by alexal34 on August 23, 2007, at 19:14:06
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by alexal34 on August 23, 2007, at 10:19:43
I see your point on class action lawsuits not being justified. I think these side effects and withdrawal effects need to be reported to the doctors AND Lilly.
I am calling Lilly tomorow and demanding my $ back for this overly expensive medication that turned me into a sedated, now overweight zombie this summer and now is giving me withdrawal symptoms that seem to be getting WORSE after 8 days than better.
Posted by alexal34 on August 23, 2007, at 19:20:20
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by Aya on August 23, 2007, at 11:46:37
Exactly, Aya. The industry is very corrupt. And yes, the docs get many pay-offs. I paid 375 bucks to see a top psych. in NYC and he did not believe my side effects- told me to up the dosage to 90 mg and then to 120 mg. Nuts. Now with the withdrawal effects he said I "shouldn't be having any". And the weight gain. I KNOW that was the drug and he said there is no way.
I'm sick of this b.s. and will no longer be a guinea pig. I'm taking the natural route.Lilly is not AT ALL upfront about the withdrawal effects. What about that poor girl when they ran the trial a few years ago who orginally had no depression and then killed herself when she was unknowingly switched off a very high dosage to a placebo???
And I know the drug reps lie their *sses off to these docs. I personally have had friends who were reps - one who sold Paxil and told me 6 years ago it causes massive weight gain but he cannot tell the doctors this and if the topic comes up the reps try to get off topic.It is b.s. All of it and I am pissed!!
(Sorry).
Tamara999, I would agree with you that medicine is a "practicing" science. However, I believe that pharmaceutical companies are very corrupt and doctors get pay-offs to push certain meds. Whether the problem is with Lilly not being clear/completely open about withdrawal affects, or the doctors trying to side-step the issue in order to get their benefits, I don't know. But unfortunatley, this kind of corruption is often allowed to go on until there is major outcry, often in the form of a lawsuit. This medication has been on the market for too long and the withdrawal affects too widespread for them to claim that they don't even exist (which they seem to continue to do). These aren't simple "side effects." My doctor said nothing to me about these issues, but my phamacist knew all about them when I stumbled into Walgreens and was forced to lay on the floor to keep from passing out. She told me if I start hallucinating that I have to go to the emergency room immediately. That's pretty serious.Ultimately it's all of our own responsibilities to research the drugs we are prescribed. HOWEVER, we are not doctors and are paying them for their knowledge. We put our trust in them. Someone needs to be held accountable.
Posted by moesje on August 23, 2007, at 19:22:53
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by alexal34 on August 23, 2007, at 19:14:06
Good luck! Let us know how that goes, maybe the rest of us can call, too.
> I see your point on class action lawsuits not being justified. I think these side effects and withdrawal effects need to be reported to the doctors AND Lilly.
> I am calling Lilly tomorow and demanding my $ back for this overly expensive medication that turned me into a sedated, now overweight zombie this summer and now is giving me withdrawal symptoms that seem to be getting WORSE after 8 days than better.
>
Posted by RYB on August 23, 2007, at 19:35:51
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION » alexal34, posted by moesje on August 23, 2007, at 19:22:53
I reported my experience for the last 3 weeks to the FDA and when when I told my doctor about my withdrawal symptoms I was told "She NEVER had anyone experience such difficulties coming off of Cymbalta. Patients had reported only lightheadedness and mild nervousness lasting a few days, which is why she told me the effects were "minor". Had she expected problems, she would have told me and tapered the medication accordingly". She also went on to say "Cymbalta is good for headache management because it alleviates tension/anxiety and interferes with the serotonin fluctuations which are implicated in migraines. It is a newer drug with less side effects than other drugs in its class, and very effective at controlling headaches, nerve pain and anxiety". YEAH Right!!! If Cymbalta has less side effects than other drugs in its class I can't imagine what those poor people are going through.
Today was a bad day - had to walk out of work at 10:00 and couldn't go back until 12:30. I felt like I was out of it, numbness in my hand and face, and seemed like there was a disconnect between by brain and motor functions. This is scary stuff!
I'm hanging in there but happy to no longer be a guinea pig,
Robin
Posted by alexal34 on August 23, 2007, at 19:59:30
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by RYB on August 23, 2007, at 19:35:51
Thanks. I will let you know how the call knows. I know the rep will sugar coat everything and I also know I'm not hanging up until I get a refund check mailed to me.
Not only the physical symptoms but emotionally I feel like it is the worst possible PMS multiplied by 1,000!!
R- I hear you. Your dr.'s comments tick me off.
Why do these docs hand out Cymbalta like it's candy - for headaches?? Give me a break.Thank God for the internet and you guys posting so I know it isn't just me. We would be totally in the dark if it weren't for messages and believed our lying and/or ignorant doctors.
I feel for you. I also worked out of work at 10:30 today. My co-worker keeps asking me if I'm okay. I'm sick of lying. They are all probably wondering why I keep saying I'm dizzy all the time. I sat in my car for 90 minutes. Went back and hardly functioned all day.
So, you're not alone.
Guess I need to remember that saying my ex boyfriend emailed me after he broke up with me. HAHA! - And this too shall pass....
Posted by moesje on August 24, 2007, at 1:29:43
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by RYB on August 23, 2007, at 19:35:51
I'm sorry to hear about your bad day . . they do get better, just for some it takes a little longer.
Maybe if enough of us report this to FDA we can get some info out there. My doc at least listened to my symptoms for withdrawal and had me taper, I just didn't taper as slowly as I could have. I went 30 for 2 days, one day of nothing, 15 for 2 days, one day of nothing and then 7.5 for two days, then just quit. And this was AFTER I'd read about the symptoms of withdrawal here. So I was 'educated' on what to expect, but still suffered.
Keep holding on, sanity WILL return. Best wishes.
> I reported my experience for the last 3 weeks to the FDA and when when I told my doctor about my withdrawal symptoms I was told "She NEVER had anyone experience such difficulties coming off of Cymbalta. Patients had reported only lightheadedness and mild nervousness lasting a few days, which is why she told me the effects were "minor". Had she expected problems, she would have told me and tapered the medication accordingly". She also went on to say "Cymbalta is good for headache management because it alleviates tension/anxiety and interferes with the serotonin fluctuations which are implicated in migraines. It is a newer drug with less side effects than other drugs in its class, and very effective at controlling headaches, nerve pain and anxiety". YEAH Right!!! If Cymbalta has less side effects than other drugs in its class I can't imagine what those poor people are going through.
>
> Today was a bad day - had to walk out of work at 10:00 and couldn't go back until 12:30. I felt like I was out of it, numbness in my hand and face, and seemed like there was a disconnect between by brain and motor functions. This is scary stuff!
>
> I'm hanging in there but happy to no longer be a guinea pig,
> Robin
Posted by Troy Tempest on August 27, 2007, at 18:36:38
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION » RYB, posted by moesje on August 24, 2007, at 1:29:43
I am going through my second period of SSRI / SNRI withdrawal, first off Effexor, this time off Cymbalta.
Effexor withdrawal was 10 days of hell, mainly due to the brain zaps. Utterly debilitating. I was unable to do anything for a week - just as well I was off work anyway due to the severe depressive episode that the Effexor was supposed to be helping. The fact was it didn't and I had to get off it before starting on Prozac. I think the only good thing about Prozac was that it seemed to mitigate the Effexor withdrawal symptoms.
Cymbalta was the next one my consultant suggested, and it did seem to work for the depression - I was able to return to work, and after 2 years I seemed well enough to start reducing the dose from 90 to 60 to 30 - this over about 6 months. No problems so far. Then I started alternating 30 / 0 each day, and that was OK, but getting completely off it has been horrible again.
I ought to mention that I'm stopping Mirtazapine (Zispin) at the same time, again going from 45 - 30 - 15 over a similar time frame.
Here's a list of symptoms so far (I've compiled a list of all those that apply from a number of sources) in alpha order, not severity order:
anxiety, balance problems, blurred vision, brain zaps, concentration impairment, crying spells, depersonalization, diarrhea, dizziness, electric shock sensations, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, highly emotional, impaired speech, insomnia, jumpy nerves, lack of coordination, lethargy, headaches, nervousness, sensory & sleep disturbances, severe internal restlessness (akathasia), stomach cramps, tremors / shivering, tinnitus (ear ringing or buzzing), tingling sensations, troubling thoughts, vivid dreams / nightmares.
It's 2 weeks now, and I'm still getting the zaps (although the voltage seems much reduced!). I still feel weird - stoned / out of it / unreal - which is more worrying, as I'm unable to take my work seriously. My sleep is all over the place - I feel as if I am in a different time zone every day.
I think that I have to tough it out, as I cannot bear the thought of any more medication - I've had 3.5 years of the stuff. I know I've done it before and so I hope I can do it again, but my confidence weakens with each day that I continue to feel so strange.
TT
Posted by alexal34 on August 27, 2007, at 21:18:28
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by Troy Tempest on August 27, 2007, at 18:36:38
Hang in there Troy. It will get better.
I also tried different meds for 3 years and after this hellish Cymbalta (while on and going off), I have decided to take the natural route.
I did report to Lilly the unbearable withdrawal effects. I am still getting the brain zaps 2 weeks later but yes- a reduced voltage now!I hear you with feeling like you're always on different time zones. The sleep thing is weird and the bizarre and vivid dreams are disturbing.
I do finally see an end in sight now to this withdrawal. I was only on the drug 7 weeks so am surprised it was so tough to get off.
Dr. mentioned Lamictal or something?? I said no way. It will be Omega 3s, B vitamins, lots of exercise and yoga and CBT. Also, this therapist is going to try DBT on me. It sounds very promising.I like to think that if I made it most of my life without meds, I can do it again.
Best of luck to you.
Posted by Aya on August 27, 2007, at 21:22:37
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by Troy Tempest on August 27, 2007, at 18:36:38
I checked out this book and this website and love the ideas: www.triplewhammycure.com. It's geared more towards women but the same doctor is also part of this website: wholehealthmd.com. If you're interested in alternative health they're worth checking out. May also help with the withdrawal symptoms too.
Good luck!
Posted by moesje on August 28, 2007, at 1:32:33
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by Troy Tempest on August 27, 2007, at 18:36:38
if i could have thought straight when i wrote my posts on withdrawal, what you wrote is what i would have said!
hang in there, it does get better. make sure you're on vits and water to help your system flush the drug out.
and remember, all the problems you had before are still there, they didn't just leave. so when you are feeling better, check into counseling if you can afford it, if not, get and read some self help books on handling stress and what not. if you have a support system, LEAN ON THEM.
it took just over 2 months for me to feel like a human being again, with all the problems that entails being a wife and mother of 2 teenage daughters. so hang in there . ..
> I am going through my second period of SSRI / SNRI withdrawal, first off Effexor, this time off Cymbalta.
>
> Effexor withdrawal was 10 days of hell, mainly due to the brain zaps. Utterly debilitating. I was unable to do anything for a week - just as well I was off work anyway due to the severe depressive episode that the Effexor was supposed to be helping. The fact was it didn't and I had to get off it before starting on Prozac. I think the only good thing about Prozac was that it seemed to mitigate the Effexor withdrawal symptoms.
>
> Cymbalta was the next one my consultant suggested, and it did seem to work for the depression - I was able to return to work, and after 2 years I seemed well enough to start reducing the dose from 90 to 60 to 30 - this over about 6 months. No problems so far. Then I started alternating 30 / 0 each day, and that was OK, but getting completely off it has been horrible again.
>
> I ought to mention that I'm stopping Mirtazapine (Zispin) at the same time, again going from 45 - 30 - 15 over a similar time frame.
>
> Here's a list of symptoms so far (I've compiled a list of all those that apply from a number of sources) in alpha order, not severity order:
>
> anxiety, balance problems, blurred vision, brain zaps, concentration impairment, crying spells, depersonalization, diarrhea, dizziness, electric shock sensations, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, highly emotional, impaired speech, insomnia, jumpy nerves, lack of coordination, lethargy, headaches, nervousness, sensory & sleep disturbances, severe internal restlessness (akathasia), stomach cramps, tremors / shivering, tinnitus (ear ringing or buzzing), tingling sensations, troubling thoughts, vivid dreams / nightmares.
>
> It's 2 weeks now, and I'm still getting the zaps (although the voltage seems much reduced!). I still feel weird - stoned / out of it / unreal - which is more worrying, as I'm unable to take my work seriously. My sleep is all over the place - I feel as if I am in a different time zone every day.
>
> I think that I have to tough it out, as I cannot bear the thought of any more medication - I've had 3.5 years of the stuff. I know I've done it before and so I hope I can do it again, but my confidence weakens with each day that I continue to feel so strange.
>
> TT
>
>
Posted by tamara999 on August 28, 2007, at 8:01:00
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION » Troy Tempest, posted by moesje on August 28, 2007, at 1:32:33
Hang in there!! You will get thru this!! Its been over 2 months for me and finally am feeling normal. I didnt realize what a mess I was until I got back to normal!! Water, vitamins, and exercise!! I had to force myself to go out an walk......and it really did help. Now Im treating myself to a vacation. Took off for one month, leave monday and going to eastern Europe to just RELAX and worry about nothing. NO meds again for me..........Best of luck everyone!
Posted by Drummer162 on August 30, 2007, at 12:01:52
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
Continued from last post: My body is vibrating... Dr Freal never even came close to warning me about this... he said it was a safe drug that didn't cause weight gain or any compli cations... I guess he just didn't know at the time it was pretty new. He figured he would take care of my depression and the neuropathic pain in my legs and back. I think it did for a while butI gained like over 50 lbs.... plus had a heart attack that I didn't even know about... They better look a little deeper into this drug...
Posted by Drummer162 on August 30, 2007, at 12:08:47
In reply to Cymbalta withdrawal, posted by Regina on March 3, 2005, at 16:37:18
Ok so the web sites were right... Nausea.. Diareah.. Terrible sinuses... Halving Cymbalta is as hard as they say I will have to do this slow... Dr Saif is glad I am doing it. Hopefully my back pain won't become intollerable and the depression won't suddenly dump me into a hopper.... We'll see I'm sure I will be writing more about this in the next few weeks or months however long it takes... OMG... Now I know what brain zaps are.... I am so dizzy and it is difficult concentrating and keeping my balance... good day not to ride the bike... probably shouldn't be driving the truck.... THIS SUCKS Ok so I just fell down.... Into a chair luckily... This is bad I feel way bad.... I am so dizzy and uncomfortable. My back is killing me and every movement is torture and makes me feel dizzy...
Posted by Holy#@$% on August 30, 2007, at 20:14:18
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION » Aya, posted by moesje on August 23, 2007, at 12:08:59
My mother committed suicide and I went through six months of complete hell before I started intense group therapy treatment and Cymbalta. I truly don't know if I would have made it through that time without the medication. But now I am ready to be med-free.
However, my name describes how I feel after two days of the "weaning" off of Cymbalta. I was on almost a year of 60mg daily, then two weeks at 30mg daily, then 0. This "weaning" was prescribed by the PA. I feel the brain zaps, vertigo, weepiness, irritability, disturbing nightmares, yadda yadda.
I feel great sense of hope after reading all of your posts. I am going to start taking vitamin supplements, exercising, eat right, and do something for my nerves, i.e. yoga. I should have been doing these things all along. I have never taken care of myself. I hope these things will help me through this %$#@ing withdrawal period and for the rest of my life....naturally. I know the things I should do. With depression, however, it is really really really hard to do them sometimes.
I wish that psychiatrists would encourage patients to take vitamin supplements, exercise, eat right etc. as part of their mental health program AS WELL AS A part of coming off these #$%^ing medications. I am calling my MD's office tomorrow and letting them know how careless I think it is not to warn/inform the pt VERBALLY during their five minute appt about the withdrawal symptoms. They need to give recommendations on how to deal with the HELL that it is.
I came to this site for answers as to how long I am going to have these symptoms. I have found the answer to be between two and four weeks. Holy#@$%. I will keep updates for people as to how I am doing and what is working for me. I hope you will do the same.
Thanks
Posted by moesje on August 30, 2007, at 23:50:01
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by Holy#@$% on August 30, 2007, at 20:14:18
I am not condemning anyone for being on these drugs. I've been on and off since my youngest daughter was born, and she'll be 15 in 2 weeks. You start one, it stops working, they give you a different one. NEVER have I been told of withdrawal effeccs, and Cymbalta and Lexapro were the worst I've ever had.
Keep in mind that although you are looking at 2-4 weeks, the symptoms get less with each day. Plan on a couple of months of recurring symptoms when you miss meals or don't get enough sleep - at least that's what I went through.
My doc told me that if I split the pills up (taking less and less every so often) that I shoudl have less problems . . . not so. It didn't matter how fast or how slow I went, I had withdrawal.
And I agree, now that I'm drug free, I plan on just dealing with life as it is, the good with the bad. Of course, I just got my blood results, and I'm high on cholesterol, overweight and down on my good cholesterol. I've got lots of work to do to get back in shape. Thankfully the drugs are out of my system and I can finally hold down a full time job!
Good luck, and be sure to keep in touch here. Even when you're off, others WILL benefit from your advise. Every person is different in how their body handles the withdrawal and maybe your way of dealing with it will be helpful to someone else.
> My mother committed suicide and I went through six months of complete hell before I started intense group therapy treatment and Cymbalta. I truly don't know if I would have made it through that time without the medication. But now I am ready to be med-free.
>
> However, my name describes how I feel after two days of the "weaning" off of Cymbalta. I was on almost a year of 60mg daily, then two weeks at 30mg daily, then 0. This "weaning" was prescribed by the PA. I feel the brain zaps, vertigo, weepiness, irritability, disturbing nightmares, yadda yadda.
>
> I feel great sense of hope after reading all of your posts. I am going to start taking vitamin supplements, exercising, eat right, and do something for my nerves, i.e. yoga. I should have been doing these things all along. I have never taken care of myself. I hope these things will help me through this %$#@ing withdrawal period and for the rest of my life....naturally. I know the things I should do. With depression, however, it is really really really hard to do them sometimes.
>
> I wish that psychiatrists would encourage patients to take vitamin supplements, exercise, eat right etc. as part of their mental health program AS WELL AS A part of coming off these #$%^ing medications. I am calling my MD's office tomorrow and letting them know how careless I think it is not to warn/inform the pt VERBALLY during their five minute appt about the withdrawal symptoms. They need to give recommendations on how to deal with the HELL that it is.
>
> I came to this site for answers as to how long I am going to have these symptoms. I have found the answer to be between two and four weeks. Holy#@$%. I will keep updates for people as to how I am doing and what is working for me. I hope you will do the same.
> Thanks
Posted by RYB on August 31, 2007, at 6:47:29
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION » Holy#@$%, posted by moesje on August 30, 2007, at 23:50:01
It makes 4 weeks since I stopped taking Cymbalta cold turkey. I was on 60 mg for 6 months. I am happy to report that I am feeling a lot better but seem to be alternating between great days where I feel like myself again and bad days where I am headachy, nauseous, diarrea, and have a few (less than 10) brain zaps. You too will get better with every passing day. Hang in there! At my worst dramamine and "nausea relief" from the drug store helped a lot.
Take Care,
R
Posted by Aya on August 31, 2007, at 8:36:33
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by RYB on August 31, 2007, at 6:47:29
Just wanted to report something I noticed. I cut my 60 mg dosage to 30 mg for a month, and now I'm just finishing up my 3rd week of 15 mg. One week to go before I cut again to 15 mg.
Between the weaning, eating healthy, and (trying to) exercise, my withdrawal symptoms have been tolerable. However, I noticed that each time I cut the dosage the second week on that dosage I was very emotionally volital (sp?). The first week I'd struggle with the physical symptoms, but for some reason the second week was when I'd cry a lot and have extremely low frustration tolerance. Now, on week three, I'm much better emotionally.
Not sure why that is or what to do about it necessarily, but I just wanted to share my observations so that those of you who are weening might have some idea what to expect.
Hang in there everyone!
Posted by Troy Tempest on August 31, 2007, at 9:17:04
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal, posted by Aya on August 31, 2007, at 8:36:33
Well, it's now nearly 3 weeks since stopping Cymbalta.
The good news is that the symptoms are less severe, although by no means totally gone.
However, most of them are still there, particularly the zaps and dizziness. Just less severe.
Interestingly, they are generally most pronounced when I'm tired and / or after any exertion.
I aim to get back to work next week - my consultant is sympathetic, so has signed me off even longer, but I'm getting bored...
Thanks for the support, and y'all hang in there!
Troy.
Posted by Snap on August 31, 2007, at 11:01:57
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by RYB on August 31, 2007, at 6:47:29
It's been a little over 2 months since I stopped cymbalta. I hit such a depression last week that my doc put me on welburtin which only caused more anxiety. So I'm doing it sans welbutrin or any other ssrri. To those of you that are in your early phase of detox - it does get better. I've only had 2 small brain zaps in the past couple of weeks - and that's only because I'm not sleeping. And on a personal note... Sex is so much better. I know I know TMI.
Take care - all of you.
Posted by Aya on August 31, 2007, at 15:37:16
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by Snap on August 31, 2007, at 11:01:57
Hey guys.
I have a question. I've begun working out (running about a mile) again this week (too dizzy before). When I'm finished I notice that there are veins bulging out of my temples! It's all zig-zaggy to the point that a coworker compared me to Frankenstein. It goes away within a half hour, but my temples continue to throb a little. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? This has never happened to me before now and I've done a lot of running in my day. I'm freaked out that I'm at risk for a stroke or something!
Posted by moesje on August 31, 2007, at 20:32:42
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal -- Take ACTION, posted by Snap on August 31, 2007, at 11:01:57
> And on a personal note... Sex is so much better. >>
So true!
Posted by alexal34 on September 3, 2007, at 19:25:12
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal, posted by Aya on August 31, 2007, at 8:36:33
Aya-
I had the same, exact effects. More so than physical symptoms, it was the emotional the 2nd week. I never cry and couldn't stop for hours last weekend. It was insane.
I am happy to say that over 3 weeks off Cymbalta completely, the brain zaps have finally stopped and I am no longer a zombie. I feel soooo much less depressed than when I was on that awful drug and I think I might finally be dropping some of the pounds gained. Maybe metabolism comes back last!
Thanks for the updates. Hope everyone is doing well and feeling great Cymbalta-free!
Posted by Tennisplayer on September 14, 2007, at 18:14:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal, posted by alexal34 on September 3, 2007, at 19:25:12
I had a terrible experience on Cymbalta, but didn't realize it was what was making me so sleepy all the time, totally apathetic and zombie like and depressed. When we finally realized it was what was making me so sleepy, and like life was generally not worth living, I tried to stop it and then began the horrible withdrawal symptoms. Nausea, LSD type nightmares, flu-like feeling,extreme rage and irritability, insomnia, akathisia, ravenous state of hunger, craving carbohydrates every 2 hours or so, weight gain, etc., short term memory problems. I took 60 mg for 11 months. I have been trying to get off it for 2-1/2 months, finally stopped it completely 14 days ago after tapering. Still having the symptoms. Only one I didn't seem to have is the brain zap thing. I am wondering what I can do to help ease through this phase and get to a happy medium somewhere. I have decided now I was not even depressed. The drug made me more depressed than I have ever been in my life. I also took it for interstitial cystitis, a chronic severe bladder pain illness for which there is no cure, because they claimed that it helped both depression and physical pain. It did not help with pain or depression. I have seen a program called "The Road Back", which offers their own supplements that you have to buy (vitamins etc. and herbs), but I do not want to get into supplements that are not even FDA regulated, having had problems after taking Ashwaganda in the past, and realizing that if the FDA can allow a toxic destructive drug like Cymbalta to be given to people, there is no telling what may come to us from sources that have no regulation. I wish that I could find some source that would tell which vitamins help or what foods help when you are trying to get past Cymbalta or other SSRI or SNRI withdrawal symptoms, without having to buy some products or try herbs and so called "natural" aids. There may not be any such site, and i don't blame the road back people for making some money while also helping people, but all of their "solutions" involve taking a dose of their supplements so many times a day, and so really don't help you unless you buy the whole line of things they offer. I am not sure if I can afford it financially and I do not trust natural remedies particularly any more than I do pharmaceuticals at this point. Sorry to be so negative. Does any one have any general advice. I would like something to calm my anger down and help with the insomnia without taking any of the usual prescription drugs, or just getting hooked on another toxic substance to mask the symptoms from the first one. I apologize for my lenthiness and impatience.
Posted by moesje on September 14, 2007, at 21:39:02
In reply to Re: Cymbalta Withdrawal-Awful,Still Continuing, posted by Tennisplayer on September 14, 2007, at 18:14:54
> I would like something to calm my anger down and help with the insomnia without taking any of the usual prescription drugs, or just getting hooked on another toxic substance to mask the symptoms from the first one. I apologize for my lenthiness and impatience.>
I use NOW vitamins, one called Eco-Green Multi, which i started using about 6 years ago. The brand is better than most in that it doesn't have a lot of additives, just vitamins. You can find their website at www.nowvitamins.com and then from there search for a store near you.
if you look at the "road back" program a little closer you can see what their program uses in terms of vitamins and make up your own regimen.
Sorry to not be really helpful, everybody is different in how they withdraw and what they need to get through it.
Main thing is going to be LOTS OF LIQUID, at least the 96 ounces a day (make that mostly water). the fluids will help flush the drug out of your system and kidney/liver. Light exercise to begin with, like walking or some prefer dancing. Just move and do it slowly keeping in mind your fragile balance right now.
I've been ofr since May and an now working full time doing mental tasks and some physical tasks (working retail, so moving boxes of stock). I could not have done this 6 months ago, and definitely not while i was withdrawing. So go slowly and know that it's going to take some time get the drug out of your system.
Also, if you didn't have a counselor or good friend way back when you went on the drug, find one now. You still need to handle whatever the problem was that caused you to start taking the medication. For instance, if you were dealing with the loss of a loved one in any way, you'll need to find a way to handle that loss, even now. your prior problems didn't go away, they were just buried under the drug.
good luck, and keep in touch here.
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